If you read my Housecarers Worldwide House Sitters and Pet Sitters Directory Review, you can travel the world without paying a single penny.
When you enroll with housecarers website as housesitter, you can travel without paying any rent and free yourself from the hassles of finding a place to stay.
The advantage that you can actually enjoy while registering with Housecarers is the ability to get your pets along. If you would like to accommodate your pet along with you in your travel, this can happen here.
Once again, there is no fee or rent to be paid for your pet regardless of which part of the globe you belong to.
Housecarers Worldwide House Sitters and Pet Sitters Directory Review
What is the Name of the Product being Reviewed? House Sitting Directory for House Sitters
What is the Type of this Product? Digital
What does this Product do for You? helps You Connect with Home Owners
Unique Selling Point: Pets are Welcome
Is it Free to Join? Yes
User Feedback: Positive
LeanAndFit Reviewer Feedback: Positive
What are Housecareres – World’s 1’st House Sitting Website
Housecareres is an online company that was founded in the year 2000 by an Australian named Ian White. At the time, Ian was perusing a career in Information & Technology and he specialized in marketing. Basically, he wanted to diversify to other interesting fields.
One fine day, his friend told him of an entry that he had made at a local directory that crashed making him lose money. This prompted Ian to develop a website that matched pet owners with housesitters. It also happened to be the world’s first such website that matched pet or house owners with house sitters.
Why Was Housesitting/Housesitters Launched?
One of the main reasons why Housecarers was launched was to connect housesitters with pet owners in a safe environment. Basically, owners get complete peace of mind when they are away as their home is occupied by a trustworthy family/couple/single person.
Guidelines are established between both parties in order to ensure that effective communication can take place between both the parties. His Australian Private Company has been catering to users for the past 17 years.
So, basically, you allow another person to live at your home while you are out on the condition that the tenant would perform certain household duties while you are away.
What Do Housesitters usually do at a Homeowners House?
Each home owner would require the house sitter to complete certain household tasks while he/she is away. While each homeowner has unique set of tasks, here are some of the most common expectations:
>>> Housesitters should take onus of the house, the garden, the pool area, the pets and areas within the house.
>>> Look after the new house and its pets like it was your own home.
>>> In case the agreement demands then, you need to pay all the utility charges as well. This is till the time you stay at the particular place.
>>> You need to ensure that the home is always kept safe and secure.
>>> Some of the responsibilities include cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, keeping the pool clean, getting rid of the garbage and looking into the mailbox and redirecting it to its original owner’s current address.
>>> You may also need to look after pets. Take them for a walk, get them checked by a vet, give them food and keep them hygienic.
How can Housesitters benefit from this Arrangement?
>>> You may want to save funds for a home loan or keeping spare money for your retirement.
>>> Sometimes, housesitters may want to start a small business or pay for the tuition fee of their child. For this they need spare funds.
>>> Maybe your kids or close family members stay in a different country.
>>> It could be that you are an artist and would like a change of place to one your skills.
>>> Sometimes, housesitters may like to relocate to another place and want to live in a home that is similar to their previous one.
>>> At times, housesitters may be getting their original home renovated. Maybe they are working professionals and have been forced to shift to a new location.
Why Should a Homeowner Hire a Housesitter?
>>> You do not need to pack while leaving as your goods are safe and in one place.
>>> Homeowners are able to choose a housesitter as per their own accord. So when they return home, they usually find everything intact and in good hands.
>>> You do not need to spend in storing your goods nor do you need to provide a new address to your contacts. House sitters usually forward your mail to your new address.
>>> House owners do not require hiring the services of a cleaner, gardener or pet servant, as everything is looked after by the housesitter.
>>> Your home remains occupied, which means less chances of a robber breaking in and stealing your precious belongings.
>>> No longer do you need to harass your relatives or close friends to keep a tab on your home.
Do You Pay a Housesitter?
No, usually a homeowner does not pay anything to a housesitter. The agreement is pretty simple and in black and white. The homeowner allows a housesitter to use his home in return for the housesitter looking after his house and pets. Hence, a homeowner does not charge any rent from the housesitter.
Nonetheless, in special circumstances, a homeowner may pay a certain fee to a housesitter, if an extra duty is specified. For example, if the homeowner has a large property then, he may pay you for maintaining his stocks, animals or his expansive home.
The Registration Process between Homeowner and Housesitter:
Housecarers Worldwide House Sitters and Pet Sitters website has an extensive database that connects homeowners with housesitters. So basically, both these parties connect with each other using the website. The registration process is completed online and members can edit, add or delete their chosen clients as and when they like.
Housecarers require members keen to register to their websites to furbish the following information:
>>> Age, location of the sitter, relationship status, the gender and occupation.
>>> Your skill set, hobbies, duration of stay, ability to take care of animals, latest photographs and police verification certificates.
>>> Last but not the least; housesitters need to pay $50 annually to housecarers website as subscription fee. Homeowners do not require paying any fee.
Once personal information has been filled, homeowners are assigned a unique set of username and password. They are also given a private message box to send messages to matching housesitters.
When any housesitter applies to a homeowner, the message is sent directly into the inbox of the concerned homeowner. Housecarers website does not disclose personal information of either the homeowner or the housesitter.
What Does the Agreement between Housesitters and Homeowners Look Like?
>>> Garden care and caring for plants in the house.
>>> In case of any damage to the property or its assets, you need to inform the owner promptly, along with the reason for the same.
>>> Taking good care of pets and their feeding and medications.
>>> Maintaining the pool and collecting and forwarding postal mail to the correct address.
>>> Payment of utility bills such as gas/electric by the housesitter for the tenure he/she has stayed in the house.
>>> If the sitter is going to use your home for a long duration, you may want the utilities to be connected to the sitter’s name.
How about Choosing Relatives/Friends instead of Housesitters?
The main reason why homeowners need to hire the services of a house sitter is because they want someone they can trust to look after their home. While friend and relatives are a good option, they may not be the most effective hosts.
Basically, asking friends or family for a favor may not be the best thing to do. Housesitters have specific needs and they would like to take care of a particular home as they like its location.
Moreover, housesitters have a binding contract with the house owner, which makes them authentic users. Personal information of both parties is shared via housecarers website. This makes the entire process smooth and hassle free.
How Does Housecarers website work for Homeowners Vs Housesitters
Let me divide this sub-heading into two parts. The first shall deal with home owners and the second shall deal with house sitters. So, here is a quick overview of both these aspects:
For Homeowners:
Homeowners simply need to register with the housecarers website and then place an advert seeking your ideal housesitter. Then, you make use of the websites automated system to get the best match.
The website automatically filters your request and based on your requirements, sends you a matching list of housesitters. You can then determine which one to choose and which one to reject.
Advantages for Homeowners Registering with Housecarers Website:
>>> You get to use Housecarers searching facility wherein you can choose your ideal housesitter using various filters.
>>> Most housesitters have already obtained police clearance certificates. This makes it safe for homeowners to hand over their precious home to them.
>>> A personalized matching list of housesitters that corresponds to your profile is already prepared.
>>> You get a messaging box that helps you communicate with your desired housesitter. This is completely secure and personalized.
>>> Online agreements and checklists can be obtained once you have finalized your housesitter.
>>> The website permits you to upload as many as fourteen photographs of your home.
For Housesitters:
Housesitters need to register the same way like homeowners did. The only difference here is that they need to pay a fee of $50 to become a permanent member and get all the benefits that a paid member does.
Advantages for Housesitters Registering with Housecarers Website:
>>> You can either be a paid member with added benefits or a non-paid member with limited access.
>>> You get to connect with interested homeowners instantly and even view their contact details.
>>> When you become a paid member, you are showcased as a featured housesitter. This in turn helps you crack deals with homeowners easily.
>>> You can upload fourteen images and write a 150 word description for each image.
>>> Paid members appear above unpaid members when homeowners are searching for you. In fact, you can link your personal webpage to the housecarers website.
>>> You get a special calendar that can be used for blocking and including new houses.
How can You Benefit from Housesitting?
As explained above, housesitters advertise their vacant homes in need for looking after, which, housesitters quickly respond to by offering their services. While the homeowner does not get paid for allowing a housesitter to look after his home, neither does the sitter get paid for the services he is providing to the homeowner’s residence.
This process is more to do with gaining experience & saving on rent. Over here, the sitter can have a home without bothering to pay rent and the owner can live someplace else and ensure that his property is being well looked after.
Here is how you benefit from becoming a house sitter:
>>> First and foremost, you are free from paying rent. If you have the ability to take care of the house just the way the owner wants it to be done, you can save thousands of dollars and live in the house of your choosing.
>>> Besides saving on the rent aspect, when you become a sitter, you can minimize the utility bills as well. Electric, water, internet, taxes and other bills related to running a house do not fall on your head.
>>> In case you have left college and are yet to save for an independent home, house sitting is a great way to gain independence. You can maintain a house and also do a job, so that in the near future, you may not be a burden on your parents.
>>> In case you love to travel but are on a strict budget then, becoming a sitter is a wise option indeed. You can see new places and yet save on house rent. House sitting is an ideal way to explore new destinations without burning a hole in your wallet.
>>> You have ample time at hand. All you need to do is maintain the cleanliness of the house and take care of the pets of the home owner (if applicable). Apart from that, you are free to indulge in any and every activity that you may like to take part in.
Disadvantages of Becoming a House Sitter:
Housesitting has its share of disadvantages as well. As every coin has two sides to it, so does house sitting. Here are a few things that might hamper your normal activity while opting as a sitter:
>>> It takes time and effort on your part to pick a suitable house listing and get the sitter job that you always wanted. For that, you need to prepare curium vitae and ensure that you are spending time at the concerned house sitter website each day to get an early update on a vacant property.
>>> Most home owners have pets and they would like you to take good care of them in their absence. So, unless and until you are a pet lover with ample knowledge in taking care of cats & dogs, a sitter job is not suitable for you.
>>> You have to be disciplined, as leaving the house as per your discretion is not possible. This is especially true in case you need to tend to the lawns or take care of the home owner’s pets.
>>> The profile that you need to prepare needs to be attractive indeed. Make sure your sitter experience is available on YouTube and other social media channels for the home owner to see. The more you showcase your own self, the more you are likely to get the property you always wanted.
>>> You should try and enroll in several housesitter websites, so as to open your avenues. At the same time, ensure that you have a vehicle around so that you may be able to travel to another location at a moment’s notice. After all, it helps to be mobil.
>>> Repeat sitters is what most house owners have in mind. So, you need to perform a good job by looking after the owner’s home. When the owner is impressed, you have a strong chance to be considered as the preferred sitter.
Shocking Facts on the Average House Rent in USA
In the year 2019, the average monthly rent in the United States was a whopping $1405. This is a staggering three percent increase from the year 2018. Most cities in the United States saw a raise in rental income accounting for 88% increment across the states.
Only handful cities across the United States could enjoy a decrease in the average rental income as compared to the previous year. So, when you have to rent a place, imagine coughing up $1405 each month. This is a tough task for many, especially after seeing the slow economic growth USA has witnessed after the housing bubble burst.
When you want to save money, housesitting is undoubtedly a suitable means of cutting down rent from your monthly expenditure. This is when you need to tap on this seemingly minuscule housesitter and homeowner market and get your demands met.
Should You Go with Housecarers.com?
Housecarers website is basically meant for individuals who would like to lend their house without charging house rent. In return, home owners would get their home taken care of and their pets well fed and supported by the housesitters.
Housecarers is a website that has earned a name for itself in this highly competitive industry. For the past 17 years, it has been helping house sitters hookup with suitable homeowners.
Customer reviews on this website have been fabulously good. Apparently, the website managed to ensure that both homeowners as well as housesitters were both taken care off rather well.
So, if you are a homeowner and you have pets to take care off. Nonetheless, you simply cannot hope to look after them as you travel, signing up with Homecarers.com is a wise option. This site would get you trustworthy housesitters to keep your home and pets in the best possible condition while you are away.
References:
- https://www.journalofnomads.com/guide-to-house-sitting/